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Thursday, June 18, 2015

#1392: Norman "Rod" Block

Chiropractors range from the almost-respectable near-physiotherapeuts to the deranged
zapfdings lunatic medieval alchemist types. Chiropractors who advertise
chiropractic treatments for pets seem to fall pretty consistently in the latter
category, and Norman “Rod” Block exudes the respectability of spam mails offering
discount drugs. In his book Like Chiropractic for Elephants he claims to have “an uncanny touch sensory
perception that allows him to connect with the person or animal he comes in
contact with [like this?]
… It is then that the animal senses his
intention of wanting to help and releases inhibitions that allow discovery of
where the root cause of the pain, stress or pressure may exist … The doctor
uses his uncanny ability to tune into the root cause of animal states of
disease without the use of drugs or surgery.” The title of his book
presumably reflects Block’s membership in the International Association of
Elephant Managers.

Apparently Dr. Block supplements his understanding of the
vertebral subluxation and his sensory abilities with something he calls
“Quantum Shamanetics.” Oh, yes, there is quantum.
“The quantum shamanistlearns to trust and be guided by
universal wisdom that exists beyond our genetic blueprint. By being part to,
and observing, movement, one becomes more sensitive to subtle changes in energy.
By following these dynamic changes, the
shamanist develops a more expansive relationship with the flow of life and health.”
Yes, that kind of quantum theory – the whale.to kind.

Of course, Block is not the only one to offer vitalistic
gibberish for your pets. For instance, one Dr. Steven Eisen, a chiropractor who
calls himself a “Holistic Dog Cancer Expert” has a book and series of web videos explaining how to circumvent the advice of
real veterinarians and instead treat canine cancer with dietary measures and
avoiding vaccines and parasite control products. Eisen is also known to respond
to scientific disagreement over his recommendation in manners familiar from the realm of committed crackpots.

Diagnosis:
Pseudoscientific gibberish aimed at the most gullible adherents of magical
thinking, once again showing that there is no limit to what some people will
take seriously.